Hodd's back for Sussex

8:30am Tuesday 19th August 2008

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Mark Robinson insists Andrew Hodd has nothing to prove ahead of Sussex’s pivotal clash with Surrey tomorrow.

Hodd was a key member of the Championship winning side last season after taking over behind the stumps while Matt Prior attempted to cement a place in the England team.

The 24-year-old made 628 runs at an average of just under 40, including a career-best 123 in the crucial victory over then leaders Yorkshire last September, but found himself out in the cold again when Prior was dropped by England.

Prior’s impressive form with the bat meant Hodd has been limited to a handful of one-day and Twenty20 Cup games this season but has also handed him another opportunity following his rival’s recall to the England one-day squad.

Remarkably, tomorrow’s game at The Oval will be Hodd’s first Championship appearance since that heady day at Hove when Sussex clinched the title for the second year running.

Robinson said: “Andrew can consider himself very unlucky because he had a very promising first season and wanted to build on that this year.

“He has had to wait for his chance but he has nothing to prove to anyone. We know he is a fine player and an outstanding glovesman but circumstances were just against him.

“Matt has been a big player for us this season and we will miss him but Andrew has the special ability to make the team tick when he plays because he always has a smile on his face and exudes energy behind the stumps.”

Hodd has had to get used to playing second fiddle during his short career.

He came through the youth ranks at Sussex but left to join Surrey in 2004 after becoming frustrated with a lack opportunities due to the presence of Prior and Tim Ambrose.

The switch did not work out the way he had hoped, though, as he made just one one-day and one Twenty20 appearance for the Brown Caps before returning to Hove in 2006 when Ambrose left for Warwickshire.

Robinson added: “It has obviously been frustrating for Andrew but he accepts that it is part and parcel of any sport. He has knuckled down in the second team and has just come into some at the right time.”

Hodd will be one of a number of changes from the team which drew at Old Trafford two weeks ago as Sussex bid to keep their title hopes alive.

Prior and Luke Wright are both with England while Mike Yardy returns to the side after overcoming a shoulder problem and Ragheb Aga is back from international duty with Kenya.

There is a question mark over skipper Chris Adams after he took a nasty blow to the ribs in the Pro40 defeat at Hampshire last Wednesday while Mushtaq Ahmed’s knee is still causing concern.

The result at The Oval could have a huge impact on Sussex’s ambitions for the rest of the season with just 27 points separating leaders Nottinghamshire and second-bottom Hampshire.